KR20050075377A - Circuit arrangement for a microcontroller and method of operating a remote control receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

A circuit arrangement is described for a microcontroller having an improved energy consumption which is achieved in that the microcontroller (2) is connected to its operating clock only during evaluation of a signal. A switching means (5) through-connecting the operating clock when a "logic 1" signal is present at the control input is arranged between the microcontroller (2) and the clock generator (6). This "logic 1" signal is generated by setting a flip-flop (4, 7) for example, when receiving a remote control signal. The program run of the microcontroller (2) is stopped at a defined breakpoint so that there is no transient time.

Description

CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENT FOR A MICROCONTROLLER AND METHOD OF OPERATING A REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER}

The present invention relates to a circuit arrangement for a microcontroller assigned to a battery-operable portable device and / or a device powered from mains. The microcontroller is designed to operate with energy savings.

The invention also relates to a remote control receiver for wireless reception of a remote control signal, which should improve energy consumption. The standby situation of this remote control receiver causes discharge of the battery and thus exceeds the actual operation of the device and limits its available time for use of the battery or due to constant energy consumption from the mains power line. Increase the cost.

Such a system for the wireless reception of a remote control signal can be realized via RF, ultrasonic or infrared technology. In standby operation, i.e. when preparing to receive, a critical part of the current required at the remote control receiver is caused by the signal receiver and the signal decoder. This current consumption limits the minimum energy consumption possible or shortens the battery life. Receiving and decoding are generally performed by two components in the circuit arrangement for the wireless reception of control signals: the receiving module and the microcontroller. This receiving module can be connected directly to the microcontroller. The microcontroller continues to operate while the receiving module's signal triggers an interrupt. When this microcontroller switches to sleep mode in the period in which both signals are processed, the current consumption is reduced to a range of several microamps, but the processing operation is the activation signal of the receiving module. In case of wake-up, the delay is also delayed. This activation signal is generated when the (encoded) remote control signal of the assigned remote control transmitter is received. As a result, it is not possible to fully obtain the first transmitted code of the remote control transmitter. The key factor in current consumption in the microcontroller is its operating frequency and the number of elements that must be switched at this operating frequency. For example, an IR receive diode with a subsequent amplifier, filter, and gain control loop is integrated into this receive module. At the output, this receiving module supplies a binary signal that can be directly connected to a microcontroller or decoding component. In a standard embodiment, such a receiving module has a typical current consumption of up to 5 kW and current consumption from 0.2 kW in recent current reductions. In the prior art described here, the microcontroller becomes active only on the input signal of the receiving component.

An energy saving method for the wireless reception of carrier signal modulated data is known from DE 100 54 529 A1. In this method, the circuit components of the receiving module are divided into a group which is supplied with electric energy intermittently and a group which is continuously supplied. However, this document does not generally describe microcontrollers or decoding operations.

EP 0 663 733 A1 relates to a remote control for an electrically operated device which, when reactivated, is reconnected to the mains power line via a supply switch. This supply switch is activated by an evaluation circuit in accordance with the control signal of the receiver. The circuit arrangement supplied to the battery indirectly controls the interval switch. This interval switch is controlled by a clock generator and intermittently connects the receiver to the power supply circuit during the standby period of the receiver. When this receiver receives at least a portion of the start signal detected by the evaluation circuit, the clock generator is driven in the direction of permanently closing the interval switch for the subsequent control signal transmission period. The control signal transmitted subsequent to the start signal can then be received in a conventional manner and used to control the operating device by first connecting it to the mains power line via a supply switch. The remote control described in this document has the disadvantage that the received remote control signal must have a code for a given start signal.

1 is a block diagram of a first variant of the remote control receiver according to the present invention;

2 is a signal diagram of a first modification.

3 is a block diagram of a second variant of the remote control receiver according to the present invention;

4 is a signal diagram of a second modification.

5 shows an example of an analyzer.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a circuit arrangement for a microcontroller which has a low energy consumption during the sleep mode of the microcontroller and is in alternatingly active or sleep mode. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of operating such a microcontroller. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a remote control receiver which has a low energy consumption in the standby mode and can be used for a conventional remote control code.

According to the invention, this object is solved by a circuit arrangement for a microcontroller which can be connected directly or indirectly to a module producing an output signal at the input and which can be connected to a clock generator to supply its operating frequency. This circuit arrangement comprises a switching means between the clock generator and the microcontroller, while the signal input of the switching means is connected to the clock generator, and the control input of the switching means is directly or indirectly connected to the module generating the output signal, The output is coupled to the microcontroller.

Each time this clock generator is connected to a microcontroller, the microcontroller acquires its operating frequency and operates continuously. This microcontroller consumes energy exiting its power supply voltage. By arranging the switching means in between, the microcontroller can be separated from its operating frequency without switching off the clock generator. The clock generator, for example, requires a certain transient time when the oscillator is switched on. The resulting delay in the signal processing operation is avoided in the circuit arrangement according to the invention since the clock generator itself is not switched off.

It is advantageous for the analyzer to be arranged between the module for generating the output signal and the switching means, so as to prevent erroneous switching due to short interfering pulses. The analyzer detects whether the received signal is a useful signal or an interference signal. In the simplest case, for example, an arrangement of two resistors, one diode, one capacitor and one Schmitt trigger component, is used for this purpose. The output signal charges the capacitor through the first resistor, and after a short delay, the Schmitt trigger is switched. If the signal S_out is interrupted within this short time period, the capacitor quickly discharges through the two resistors. In this way, short and disturbed signals can be suppressed. The exact design of the analyzer depends on the specifications of the output signal.

It is advantageous to buffer the output signal reactivating the microcontroller. To achieve this, one embodiment of the invention has an output signal of a module directly or indirectly connected to the set input of the SR flip-flop, the output of which is connected to the control input of the switching means. The reset input is connected directly or indirectly to the output of the microcontroller such that the SR flip-flop is reset in a program controlled manner. Due to this arrangement, the output of the flip-flop becomes "logic 1" when receiving the first control signal after deactivation of the microcontroller. This "logic 1" signal quasi-through-connects the switching means and connects the signal of the clock generator to the microcontroller. As a result, this microcontroller obtains its operating frequency as soon as the remote control signal is received so that this signal can be processed correctly. The microcontroller itself generates a reset signal applied to the reset input of this SR flip-flop such that the output signal of the SR flip-flop is set to "logic 0". At this time, the switching means are cut off and the microcontroller is separated from its operating frequency. This clock is thus deactivated at a limited instant controlled by the microcontroller itself. Deactivation of this clock is performed first at the point where the microcontroller program is predetermined so that the continuation of the program resumes at the correct point after applying the clock.

In another embodiment of the invention, the output signal is buffered by a JK flip-flop. In this circuit arrangement according to the invention, a first JK flip-flop is arranged between the module for generating the output signal and the switching means, and a second JK flip-flop is arranged between the microcontroller and the K input of the first JK flip-flop. . This achieves that both the output signal used as the wake-up signal and the reset signal generated by the microcontroller itself are first buffered and then connected to the correct clock. This prevents too short or incorrect clock pulses that may disturb the flawless operation of the microcontroller by the first JK flip-flop. As a result, the clock is always switched on or off in the next complete period. This clock is always correctly switched off in the next one cycle by the second JK flip-flop so that after the stop signal is set, the processor takes a limited remaining position and gets the appropriate time to reset the stop signal again.

Another advantage of the circuit arrangement according to the invention for the microcontroller is that it can also be used for a time counter connected to a clock generator, possibly with an intermediate divider. The remote control receiver can thus also be used in an apparatus where it is disconnected from the mains power line in the switched off state but the clock must continue. These microcontrollers and time counters can share a part of the circuit arrangement, thus saving cost, energy, and space.

Since the low frequency makes it very simple and inexpensive to realize the correct circuit arrangement in one clock cycle, it is advantageous to use an oscillator or low frequency crystal generator, i.e. a generator of about 30 to 300 kHz, as the clock generator. By synchronizing with this clock, unwanted switching points are avoided. Low frequency oscillators require a relatively small amount of current so that the energy consumption of the entire circuit arrangement is minimized even if the clock generator continues to operate without interruption. If the circuit arrangement according to the invention is used in a remote control receiver, this relatively low frequency should be chosen to be high enough to decode the remote control signal.

In a very simple and inexpensive variant of the invention, the switching means of the circuit arrangement is an AND gate.

With respect to a remote control receiver, an object of the present invention is a remote control receiver comprising a receiving module for receiving an encoded remote control signal, the receiving module being connected directly or indirectly to a microcontroller for decoding, the micro The controller is solved by a remote control receiver, which can be connected to a clock generator for supplying its operating frequency. The remote control receiver includes switching means having a control input and a signal input between the clock generator and the microcontroller, while the signal input of the switching means is connected to the clock generator, which control input is directly connected to the remote control module. Or indirectly connected, the output of which is connected to the microcontroller. When a remote control signal or also an interfering second light (e.g. a fluorescent lamp or an electronic energy saving lamp) is received, the receiving module outputs that are applied to the microcontroller for decoding and also to the switching means for reactivation. Generate a signal. Thus the output signal generated by the receiving module is also an active signal because not only the data carrier file but also its occurrence is used to activate (wake up) the microcontroller according to the invention. However, for example, a predetermined condition, such as a predetermined form or a predetermined minimum level, may be imposed on the wakeup signal such that the possibility of erroneously recognizing the wakeup signal as the second light is excluded. Appropriate analyzers can be used for this purpose.

The microcontroller must be reactivated when the receiving module detects the remote control signal. For this purpose, the control input of the switching means is preferably connected directly or indirectly to the output of the receiving module. When a remote control signal is received, the receiving module supplies an output signal that is applied both to the microcontroller and to the switching means. When the two inputs of the switching means, namely the signal input and the control input, are connected to the " logic 1 " signal, the clock of the clock generator is electrically connected, thereby reactivating the microcontroller. Since the clock generator itself has not been switched off and the microcontroller has been previously stopped at the exact location known as program operation, there is no transient time and the microcontroller can operate correctly immediately while the output signal of the receiving module is fully processed. .

According to the present invention, the object is a method of operating a microcontroller that can be connected to a clock generator for supplying its operating frequency, wherein the program operation of the microcontroller determines its switching-off moment (switches to sleep mode). It is also solved by a method of operating the microcontroller, in which the output signal of the module causes reactivation of the microcontroller. The transition to the standby mode is thus realized by software of the microcontroller, and by reactivation by the hardware of this circuit arrangement, ie when the output signal of the input module is generated.

A preferred embodiment is a method of operating a remote control receiver comprising a receiving module at an input for receiving an encoded remote control signal, the receiving module being connected directly or indirectly to the microcontroller for decoding. A method of operating a remote control receiver, which can be connected to a clock generator to supply its operating frequency. The clock generator is coupled to the microcontroller when the receiving module detects an input signal and generates an output signal for the microcontroller. This output signal is additionally applied to the flip-flop, which flip-flop produces a flip-flop output signal upon receiving the output signal of the receiving module, the flip-flop output signal is applied to the control input of the switching means, This is designed in such a way that the switching means are electrically connected and the operating clock is supplied to the microcontroller. Remote control receivers are, for example, battery operated (separate from the main power line) or connected to the mains power line, which must have low energy consumption during standby and for this reason electronic devices that need to save current. Can belong.

In a variant to the invention, a higher frequency additional activatable clock generator is operatively connected as a clock generator for the microcontroller upon reaching its nominal frequency. Reaching a nominal frequency of a second clock generator, eg, an RC oscillator, may be determined by the counting circuit and the first clock generator. When not required, the additional clock generator is switched off to save energy. This additional clock generator is restarted when the receiving module detects the remote control signal and generates an output signal for the microcontroller. The low frequency first clock generator is timely coupled to the microcontroller so that there is no loss of information when evaluating the received signal. High clock frequencies are connected to conduct with minimal delay.

The remote control receiver according to the present invention can further save energy with a minimum number of components. There is no loss of information because there is no time delay during the evaluation.

The microcontroller of the remote control receiver according to the invention controls the instant of its deactivation (sleep mode) itself. At a predetermined point in the program, the microcontroller generates a reset signal for the flip-flop so that the switching means separates the clock generator from the microcontroller. Thus, the present invention relates to a method for saving energy in which switching to sleep mode is programmable in a microcontroller and the microcontroller can be activated by an output signal generated in a corresponding device.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a clock so that the microcontroller is deactivated (sleep mode) and therefore consumes less energy but this does not cause data loss due to delayed switch-on when the microcontroller is reactivated (wakes up). Generators have in common that they keep running.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described below.

1 is a block diagram of a first modification of the remote control receiver according to the present invention. The AND gate is used as the switching means 5. The remote control signal is received by the receiving module 1 and converted into an output signal S_out. This output signal S_out is applied both to the microcontroller 2 for decoding and to the analyzer 3 which prevents false circuits due to short interference pulses. The output of this analyzer 3 is connected to the S input of the SR flip-flop 4, and its Q output is set when a remote control signal is received. This Q output is connected to the control input of AND gate 5, and the signal input of this AND gate 5 is connected to clock generator 6. This clock generator 6 continues to operate and is connected to the microcontroller 2 when the SR flip-flop 4 is set. The clock generator 6 is disconnected from the microcontroller 2 again when the microcontroller 2 applies a " logic 1 " signal to the R input of the SR flip-flop 4 via a connection to this R input. As a result, the Q output of the SR flip-flop 4 is set to "logic 0", so that the AND gate 5 that follows it is disabled. The power supply voltage Ub is shown for the receiving module 1 and the microcontroller 2.

2 is a signal diagram of a first modification of the remote control receiver. The output signal S_out of this receiving module 1 is an encoded signal composed of a plurality of pulses and is converted by the analyzer 3 into a continuous "logic 1" signal S_AL. The clock generator 6 subsequently generates its output signal S_TG. The operation clock AT is applied to the microcontroller 2 only when the output signal S_FF of the flip-flop 4 is "logic 1". This microcontroller evaluates the output signal S_out of the receiving module 1. When this evaluation ends and there is no other signal, the microcontroller 2 continues to operate up to a predetermined breakpoint of the program. At this point, a reset signal is generated for the SR flip-flop 4 so that the clock is disconnected from the microcontroller 2 again.

3 is a block diagram of a second variant of the remote control receiver according to the invention, which prevents too short or equal clock pulses from disturbing the evaluation in the microcontroller 2. In this variant, the output signal S_AL of the analyzer 3 is applied to the J input of the first JK flip-flop 7. The clock input of the first flip-flop 7 is connected to the clock generator 6. When the remote control signal is received, the output signal S_AL of the analyzer 3 becomes "logic 1". As soon as a negative clock pulse is subsequently present at the clock input, the Q output is set to "logic 1". This output signal S_FF1 is applied to the AND gate 5 so that the operation clock AT is applied to the microcontroller 2 in the first complete period from the start of the remote control signal. After the output signal S_out of the receiving module 1 is decoded and there is no other output signal, the microcontroller 2 is connected to the J input of the second JK flip-flop 8 during the second clock cycle before deactivation thereof. Apply a stop signal. This "logic 1" signal is further applied to the K input of the first JK flip-flop 7 as a reset signal Reset_FF1 at the falling edge of the next clock of the clock generator 6 at the Q output. . This stop signal starts at the positive edge of the operating clock AT and covers exactly one period of the operating clock AT. Thereby, of the two consecutive pulses of the operation clock AT, the first negative edge is used to generate the reset signal Reset_FF1, and the second negative edge is used to reset the first JK flip-flop 7. The AND gate 5 again disconnects the microcontroller 2 from the clock generator 6 and the second JK flip-flop 8 is reset by the first JK flip-flop through the Q output in the next clock cycle. Is guaranteed. In this embodiment, the time counter 9 is additionally operated by the clock generator 6, where the divider 10 is arranged in the middle, so that the frequency of the clock generator 6 is transferred to the time counter 9. Convert to the frequency required by The use of the connection of the clock generator 6 and the time counter 9 by the decoding device saves energy and space. The fixed (hardware) realization of the time counter offers the possibility of getting the elapsed time or the clock time again after the device is switched on again, so that this function can be performed completely without a microcontroller.

4 is a signal diagram of a second modification of the remote control receiver according to the present invention. When the receiving module 1 detects an input signal, the receiving module generates an appropriately encoded output signal S_out. The analyzer 3 converts the encoded signal into a continuous "logic 1" signal S_AL. The clock generator 6 continuously generates the clocked output signal S_TG. This signal is applied as the operating clock AT to the microcontroller 2 only when the output signal S_AL of the analyzer 3 is "logic 1" and the next negative edge of the clock occurs. The microcontroller 2 has its operating clock AT when the stop signal generated in the program is electrically connected to the second JK flip-flop 8 and exists as a reset signal Reset_FF1 at the K input of the flip-flop 7. From the correct clock on the falling edge. The program of the microcontroller is implemented such that the stop signal is already reset at this moment. In the next clock cycle, the buffered stop signal Reset_FF1 is also reset again.

5 shows an example of an analyzer. After the input for the output signal S_out, the first resistor R1 is connected in parallel with the diode D together with the second resistor R2. The output signal S_AL is generated by the Schmitt trigger. The output signal S_out charges the capacitor C through the first resistor R1, which Schmitt trigger switches after a short delay time. When the output signal S_out is interrupted within this short delay time, this capacitor C quickly discharges through the two resistors R1 and R2.

As mentioned above, the present invention is available to save energy in battery operated devices.

Claims (11)

In a circuit arrangement for a microcontroller (2), which is directly or indirectly connected to a module generating an output signal (S_out) at its input and can be connected to a clock generator for supplying its operating frequency, The circuit arrangement comprises a switching means 5 between the clock generator 6 and the microcontroller 2, the signal input of the switching means 5 being connected to the clock generator 6, the switching The control input of the means 5 is directly or indirectly connected to the module for generating an output signal, the output of the switching means 5 being connected to the microcontroller 2, the circuit for the microcontroller. Arrangement. 2. Circuit arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that an analyzer (3) is arranged between the module for generating the output signal (S_out) and the switching means (5). 3. An output signal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output signal of the module is applied directly or indirectly to the set input of the SR flip-flop 4, and the output of the SR flip-flop 4 5, wherein a reset input of the SR flip-flop (4) is integrated or indirectly connected to the output of the microcontroller (2). 3. A first JK flip-flop (7) is arranged between the module for generating the output signal (S_out) and the switching means (5), wherein the microcontroller (2) and the second A circuit arrangement for a microcontroller, characterized in that a second JK flip-flop (8) is arranged between the K inputs of one JK flip-flop (7). 5. The circuit arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a time counter is connected to the clock generator. 6. 6. A circuit arrangement according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clock generator (6) is an oscillator or a low frequency quartz generator. 7. The circuit arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said switching means is an AND gate. A remote control receiver comprising a receiving module for receiving an encoded remote control signal, the receiving module being directly or indirectly connected to a microcontroller for decoding, the microcontroller being connected to a clock generator for supplying its operating frequency. In the remote control receiver, The remote control receiver includes switching means having a control input and a signal input between the clock generator and the microcontroller, the signal input of the switching means being coupled to the clock generator, the control input being the remote control module. A direct or indirect connection to the remote control receiver, the output of the switching means being connected to the microcontroller. A method of operating a microcontroller that can be coupled to a clock generator for supplying its operating frequency, the method comprising: The program operation of the microcontroller determines the moment of switch-off (switches to the sleep mode), and the output signal S-out causes reactivation of the microcontroller. How to let. A method of operating a remote control receiver comprising a means module (1) for receiving an encoded remote control signal, the receiving module (1) being directly or indirectly connected to the microcontroller (2) for decoding, the micro In the method of operating a remote control receiver, the controller 2 can be connected to the clock generator 6 to supply its operating frequency, The clock generator 6 is connected to the microcontroller 2 when the receiving module 1 detects an input signal and accordingly generates an output signal S_out for the microcontroller 2, The output signal S_out is additionally applied to the flip-flops 4 and 7, and the flip-flops 4 and 7 receive a flip when receiving the output signal S_out of the receiving module 1. Generates a flop output signal S_FF, wherein the flip-flop output signal S_FF is applied to the control input of the switching means 5, thereby electrically connecting the switching means and connecting an operating clock AT to the micro A method of operating a remote control receiver, characterized in that it is designed to supply to a controller (2). 11. The higher frequency additional activatable clock generator of claim 10 is connected through-connected as a clock generator for the microcontroller 2 as soon as the additional activatable clock generator reaches a nominal frequency. Characterized in that the method of operating a remote control receiver.